Chapter 709 - 708: The Well-Laid Scheme
A dozen people couldn’t even manage to surround and attack?
Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes glinted with a tinge of coldness: "No wonder the assassins sent earlier failed. I didn’t expect Huangfu Jingchen to be so skilled!"
Pu Yangji also said in a low voice: "It’s not just our men who failed, never returning; several batches sent by Prince Zhuang met the same fate. We thought the guards around Prince Cheng’s Heir were capable, but never expected his own skills to be so good!"
Huangfu Yuxuan replied indifferently: "My fifth aunt was originally from Jianghu, causing great upheaval in the Capital City back then. The skills passed on to Prince Cheng’s Heir couldn’t be weak. I should have anticipated this!"
Pu Yangji said: "Shouldn’t we intervene if Prince Zhuang’s men can’t win?"
Huangfu Yuxuan squinted his eyes, with a sharp and indifferent gaze, responded: "If Prince Zhuang only sent so few people, underestimating the situation, then it’s merely wasting the opportunity I prepared for him. If that’s the case, I’ve overestimated him. Let Prince Cheng’s Heir deal with him, while I conserve my strength for what’s next."
Gazing at the battlefield, Huangfu Jingchen, despite arriving in haste, wielded a long sword with a perfect balance between offense and defense. Both sides fought evenly, which bored him. How long would it take for a result at this pace?
He wanted results quickly, not a prolonged stalemate between both sides.
Just as he was growing impatient, the situation on the field shifted dramatically. Initially, it was Huangfu Jingchen single-handedly fighting against many, but suddenly, four others emerged to fight alongside him.
Because they were too far away, Huangfu Yuxuan couldn’t clearly see how those four appeared.
He turned to ask Pu Yangji: "Did you see clearly? Where did they come from?"
Pu Yangji replied: "They must have been Prince Cheng’s Heir’s people, lying in ambush nearby."
Huangfu Yuxuan laughed, just as he thought, Prince Cheng’s Heir wasn’t foolish enough not to have a plan knowing it was a trap.
However, this trial revealed that Prince Cheng’s Heir had no shortage of capable people around him, contrary to the information suggesting all his men were sent secretly to search for someone.
As this thought crossed his mind, he suddenly noticed that one of the four figures seemed familiar—clad in blue, with an unconstrained yet sharp swordsmanship...
He blurted out, "Xia Sichen?"
Since Xia Sichen was here, it was evident that Prince Zhuang’s men had no chance. Huangfu Yuxuan ordered, "Prince Cheng’s Heir has the upper hand now, so we need to act as well."
Pu Yangji cupped his fists in acknowledgment, and the two retreated from the slope, moving to the side where horses awaited, with over a dozen guards, two hunting dogs, and even chickens and badgers hung on the horses.
Huangfu Yuxuan swiftly mounted his horse, as Cui Huai hurriedly did as well, while Pu Yangji retreated behind the trees, disappearing from sight.
With a tug on the reins, Huangfu Yuxuan led the charge towards the villa.
No matter who had the upper hand, he wanted to be the hero rescuing the beauty.
If Huangfu Jingchen won, the blame for the abduction would fall on Prince Zhuang, and he would be the rescuer. He’d rescue Xia Wenjin before Huangfu Jingchen and escort her back with him. Given a life-saving favor, it should surely win some goodwill!
If Prince Zhuang won, the blame still lay with him, while he remained the rescuer! He wouldn’t pass the blame to Huangfu Jingchen because Xia Wenjin wouldn’t believe it!
It’s safe to say this was his first time putting so much effort into pleasing a woman.
Time was running out—more than a month had passed since the half-year mark mentioned by Gongyang Puyu.
In the coming month, with those Imperial Uncles returning to the Capital, it would demand all his attention, leaving no room for Xia Wenjin. This was why he decisively took this course of action.
If the strategy is used effectively, any means can be the best tactic.
If used ineffectively, even the best tactic is useless.
This time, however, Huangfu Yuxuan was quite satisfied!
Huangfu Jingchen was locked in a fierce battle with the masked enemies when Xia Sichen and his four companions arrived, which startled him. He couldn’t help but change his expression slightly, "Why are you here?"
Xia Sichen glared at him, "That’s my sister!"
Huangfu Jingchen felt anxious; the note they received instructed him to come alone. What if they harmed Wenjin upon discovering he had assistance?
Therefore, his men dealt with roadside ambushes quietly and discreetly.
Xia Sichen was unaware that Huangfu Jingchen received the note or that there was a limit to the number of people involved. He just sensed something off about Huangfu Jingchen’s expression after leaving Cheng Prince Mansion.
His men had been investigating too. The people initially intended to break the law to save the wrongly accused Villages Chiefs of Haotian Village were all used up this time.
Suspecting that Huangfu Jingchen knew something, they changed their approach and began monitoring him.
With deduction and guesswork, coupled with tracking Huangfu Jingchen’s movements, Xia Sichen proceeded towards the south gate.
Along the way, they saw the bodies of assassins dealt with by Cheng Prince Mansion’s people, confirming their direction was correct.
Meanwhile, Huangfu Jingchen was in a bitter fight, naturally needing help to finish it quickly.
The anxiety was evident as Huangfu Jingchen struck down a masked man, saying, "Don’t follow me; you’ll endanger Wenjin!"
With Xia Sichen and his four companions joining, the dozen foes were no match, quickly scattered and defeated.
Hearing the implicating words, Xia Sichen grew anxious too, shouting, "Do you know something?"
Huangfu Jingchen succinctly recounted the contents of the note, causing Xia Sichen’s face to darken, eyes filled with determination. Having already arrived so close to Fengming Manor, retreating now would be too late.
They had to fight quickly and then rush into the villa to rescue the person inside.
Despite low martial skills, Wenjin wasn’t utterly powerless, which offered Xia Sichen a glimmer of hope—she should be able to hold out for a while.
With urgency in his heart, his sword strikes became more fierce. The five of them swiftly dealt with the masked men, cutting through them like slicing vegetables, then rushed towards Fengming Manor.
Just as they were approaching, a clattering of hooves accompanied by shouts rang from within, followed by the clash of weapons.
Their expressions changed drastically, and with bated breath, they employed Qinggong, racing forward almost without touching the ground.
Xia Wenjin had already administered acupuncture twice to herself, but with such a short time, her recovery was only at four or five tenths.
Nevertheless, she knew she was safe.
No matter Huangfu Yuxuan’s intent, whether using her as bait or trying to win her favor through deception, he wouldn’t let her die. If they intended to kill her, it could have been done at Xia Mansion. Why go through so much trouble to bring her here?
Glimpsing the three women surrounding her in a triangle, preventing her escape, a hint of sarcasm played at her lips.
Suddenly, the sharp whistle of an arrow pierced the air.
A feathered arrow, accompanied by the sound of wind, shot in her direction.